This Master’s level course is problem-oriented, offering both social science and natural science perspectives on planning processes for physical planning in different types of landscapes, which are viewed as integrated social-ecological systems. The course provides a scientific basis, goals and tools for environmental planning and includes key aspects such as participatory perspectives on planning processes and governance, including user and property rights related to ecosystems and natural resources. During the course, you will produce a 5-credit case study project and learn to define and apply the concepts of environmental assessments, adaptive governance, ecosystem services, and resilience, in relation to the governance of social-ecological systems.

Course design

The course is taught through lectures and compulsory seminars. Active participation in seminars is worth 2.5 credits and, where necessary, absences from some of these may be compensated for through written assignments. The course concludes with a compulsory seminar in which you present your project and perform a peer review of another student’s project.